The Famous Thai Change purse

Thai Girl change purse

Anyone who has been to Thailand has most likely noticed this before, a ten baht coin stuck in the ear of a Thai girl. They don’t all do it but I suspect most have done it at least a few times.

While Mo and I were at the local Monday/Friday market the other day she got change for a 20 baht note and quickly stuffed the coin in her ear, so, I snapped a quick pic and laughed a bit. I would think a lot of foreigners may have the same reaction but when you think about it people the world around use their ears in very similar fashions. The ears also make great pen holders or a nice place to keep that cigarette waiting for a smoke break.

Anyway I thought I would share this pic with those of you that may have never seen it before.

Next up I’ll take you up into the mountains of Petchaboon to see a beautiful mountain top Wat that is strung out through a series of caves.

talensig

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17 Responses to The Famous Thai Change purse
  1. Joe
    October 28, 2011 | 8:57 pm

    Talen – Never seen that myself, but it’s interesting they chose the larger 10 baht coin, vs. the smaller 5 baht coin. It would appear to me that the 5 baht coin would be a better fit in the ear. Maybe it’s the shiny gold color of the 10 baht coin that’s fashionable :-) ?

  2. Rambone
    October 29, 2011 | 9:39 am

    Is the King’s image on that coin? Actually in six trips I’ve never seen that either. I’ll be arriving in Bangkok next Thursday, I can’t postpone my trip to avoid the water because I need to use vacation by end of the year. Didn’t get a hotel so don’t know if I’ll find one in Pattaya now, much less stay with relatives in Bangkok. Wanted to get to Chutachuk park fpr Loy Kratong but don’t know if it’s possible now.

    • Talen
      October 30, 2011 | 9:04 pm

      Rambone, I’m surprised you haven’t seen it at least once in six trips… then again if you aren’t looking for it you can miss it easily.

      Pattaya hotel shouldn’t be a problem with so many and the town is still relatively quiet.
      Talen recently posted..The Famous Thai Change purseMy Profile

  3. Rambone
    October 29, 2011 | 10:19 am

    I just tried a quarter. It didn’t work. Anything smaller than that really isn’t worth it.

  4. Lloyd
    October 30, 2011 | 12:16 am

    You see it a lot at local markets in rural areas and looks a bit wierd, I think if my wife started doing it I’d boot her up the backside ;-)

  5. Martyn
    October 30, 2011 | 4:58 am

    Talen that’s one EERie post you’ve put together and something that I’ve never noticed before in Thailand. I’ll have to ask young Wilai if she’s ever used her ears as a purse.

    I’m looking forward to you WAXing lyrical about the mountains of Petchaboon.

    • Talen
      October 30, 2011 | 9:08 pm

      Martyn, I don’t see it as much as I used too…hence the pic. I had forgotten about it myself until Mo stuffed ten baht in her ear.

      The Mountain Wat was awesome and will be coming up shortly.
      Talen recently posted..The Famous Thai Change purseMy Profile

  6. Rambone
    October 31, 2011 | 2:07 am

    OK, I figured out how to get the quarter to fit. Now I have to figure out how to get it out…

  7. Arch stanton
    October 31, 2011 | 4:30 am

    Been going to los for over 20 years and never noticed it

    • Talen
      November 9, 2011 | 1:21 am

      Arch, it’s easy to miss it and not every girl does it.

  8. ChuckWow
    October 31, 2011 | 2:51 pm

    I have seen this many times before but always thought the person had something wrong with their ear and were trying to block out annoying sounds.

    I guess I never made the market quick access change purse connection.

  9. Eren Mckay
    November 4, 2011 | 4:55 pm

    That’s very interesting. I love learning about other cultures and customs. We live in such a diverse world and understanding other people’s perspectives is an essential skill.
    Blessings from Brazil,
    Eren
    Eren Mckay recently posted..Reasons for Making a Diaper CakeMy Profile

  10. Snap
    November 5, 2011 | 11:24 am

    Talen, after reading this and Martyn’s Ice Cream post, I’m starting to wonder if I was walking around Thailand with my eyes shut for the whole year.
    Snap recently posted..From Chiang Mai to AustraliaMy Profile

    • Talen
      November 9, 2011 | 1:09 am

      Snap, you really have to be in the right place at the right time to see it…Usually in the rural areas and rural markets although I have seen it in BKK and Pattaya as well…most likely rural girls though.

  11. Dan
    November 24, 2011 | 10:02 pm

    Wow, is that how you pay bar girls these days? A great observational photo!

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